Emily Deschanel appeared in another crime series afterBones, which totally flipped her characterization as Temperance Brennan. To some, Temperance Brennan, the genius forensic analyst of thehit crime seriesBones; to others, theolder sister of Zooey Deschanel. Emily Deschanel is an odd duck in Hollywood with a movie and TV career that has never followed a normal trajectory. Deschanel got her start in 1994, in a small role in the romantic comedy drama,It Could Happen to You. Since then, she’s bopped around, from TV to movies, sometimes taking years between roles.
In 2005, she began starring inBones, a massively successful police procedural that ran for 12 seasons. She plays Temperance Brennan, a forensic anthropologist who works alongside FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) to solve crimes for the bureau. BeyondBones, however, Deschanel has not had any major roles on television or in film. That’s not to say she hasn’t been working, it’s just that the parts and shows are smaller and scope.She’s still excellent in everything she appears in as well, particularly in this popular crime drama.
Animal Kingdom Was Emily Deschanel’s First & Best Bones Replacement Show
Deschanel Plays Angela Kane In Season 4
Emily Deschanel appears inAnimal Kingdomseason 4, episode 2, “Angela”, and remains a recurring character until the end of the season. AfterBonesended in 2017, Deschanel voiced a character in an episode ofThe Simpsons, and that’s about it. So her appearance inAnimal Kingdomis the first show that can actually be considered the replacement forBones. It also happens to be the best show she’s appeared in sinceBones. The series has been critically acclaimed and lasted for six seasons on TNT.
Based on the Australian crime movie of the same name from 2010,Animal Kingdomfollows the Cody family of Oceanside, California. The Cody’s are a tight family unit and criminal enterprise that is involved in all sorts of illegal dealings and activities. Ruled with an iron fist by the Cody matriarch Smurf (Ellen Barkin), the Cody’s welcome a new member of the family into their gang in season 1, Joshua “J” Cody (Finn Cole), Smurf’s grandson.It’s a thrilling and wickedly smart series with an ensemble of fascinating characterswho each have their own reasons for pursuing this dangerous lifestyle.
Emily Deschanel’s Animal Kingdom Character Flipped Her Temperance Brennan Role
Angela Is A Farcry From Bones
Emily Deschanel’s character, Angela Kane, was once best friends with J’s deceased mother, Julia. Now a recovering heroic addict, Angela reenters the Codys' lives, specifically cozying up to Pope (Shawn Hatosy), with whom she previously had a relationship with. Understandably, J sees Angela as a terrible influence on his family, blaming her in part for the overdose death that killed Julia. He forces her out of the picture by getting her to relapse.Angela goes missing, and it’s suggested she was murdered in a drug house, much to Pope’s dismay.
Angela is about as far a character from Temperance Brennan as you can get.
Angela is about as far a character from Temperance Brennan as you can get. That’s partially what drew Deschanel to the role in the first place, as she says (viaCollider),
“I was ready to return to work, so that was helpful. I was hoping to find something a little shorter. I mostly wanted to play a different character and do something different, with a different tone, and this was something that was different and seemed like a fun thing. It’s like going to the other side of the law, and there are all of these heists, and there are these criminals and sociopaths. It seemed like a fun thing to do, after taking some time off and doing the same thing for 12 years.”
Angela is a criminal, and even if she’s working on herself in some respects, she still seems happy to reengage with the illegal side of her life as soon as the opportunity presents itself.She’s manipulative, insecure, and frightened, none of which are good ways to describe Temperance Brennan, who’s self-assured (if awkward), logical, steadfast, and righteous. Angela is a much different character than we’re used to seeing Deschanel play.
The Bones Star’s Replacement Allowed Fans To See A New Side Of Her Acting
Deschanel Can Play More Than Just One Character
Emily Deschanel’s role inAnimal Kingdomgave viewers a completely different side of her acting capabilities. Temperance Brennan is a fantastic character, with nuance, weaknesses, and a strong arc. However, Deschanel was still playing the same character for years, so we didn’t get to see her showcase any other sides to her acting during those seasons. Her role inAnimal Kingdomproves that she has more than one character in her repertoire.
Angela Kane inAnimal Kingdomis everything that Temperance Brennan inBonesisn’t, and that Deschanel can play such a different character suggests she has an even wider set of tools than anyone may have guessed. Brennan is a delightfully awkward nerd, while Angela is a cunning criminal who knows how to get what she wants.Both characters would have a problem with one another if they ever met, and it’s an impressive bit of acting that they’re both played by Emily Deschanel.
